Cote d'Azur Rental Homes - A French Vacation Guide

The mere mention of St. Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Nice evokes a vision of the sun-drenched and easy-going lifestyle on offer along the Cote d'Azur. Chic, sassy, and incredibly sexy, the region has long attracted artists and jetsetters alike with its clear skies, blue waters, and carefree cafe culture. The "Azure Coast" provides all the glitz and glamour you could wish for, and it's not just about glamor; there are scores of fantastic beaches, dramatic coastal vistas, medieval villages and untamed wilderness all crammed into this beautiful part of Southern France.

Location

The stylish and scenic strip of Mediterranean coastline called the Cote d'Azur has no official boundary. While everybody agrees that it ends at the border with Italy, there are various opinions about where it starts – is it Theoule, Cassis, Saint-Tropez or somewhere else?

Also known as the French Riviera, the Cote d'Azur translates to "Coast of Blue," taking its name from the deep azure-blue color of the Mediterranean Sea. This glamorous vacation destination buzzes with energy during the tourist season and is known as a playground for the rich and famous who have lavish vacation villas on the coast and impressive yachts docked in the harbors. Private beaches and high-end restaurants reinforce the image of seaside elegance and prestige. From the old world glamour and jet-set style of Cannes and Monaco to the glorious beaches, you'll find cobblestoned villages where colorful fishing boats elbow up to mega yachts and sailboats from around the world.

Whether basking under a cabana in Cannes, setting sail from the port of Monaco, or people-watching on the boulevards of Nice, the French Riviera is sure to put a sparkle back into your life.

Saint-Tropez

A stylish seaside resort that draws tourists from all over the world, Saint-Tropez was once just a humble fishing village. The town was made fashionable by the famous actress Brigitte Bardot in the 1950's while she was filming on location there. Saint-Tropez's small-town feel and pretty Mediterranean setting easily charms its visitors. The historic village offers a quaint Old World ambience of cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes, and pleasant shady squares, while the picturesque harbor is filled with luxury yachts that belong to the jet-setting crowd drawn to the glitz and glamor. However, despite the upscale restaurants and fashion boutiques, there's still an authentic Provencal atmosphere to be found in Saint-Tropez. Visitors enjoy basking in the sunshine at the beaches and taking unhurried strolls along the coast or in the village without any particular itinerary. In Saint-Tropez, the beautiful setting and the chic ambience are the main attraction.

Cannes

Cannes is pampered with the luxurious year-round climate that has made it one of the most popular resorts in Europe. The town gleams on the surface - there are few city promenades more dazzling than La Croisette. La Croisette is the iconic promenade that gracefully curves the wave-washed sand coastline, peppered with chic restaurants and prestigious private beaches. But it's mainly glitter and bling underneath, too. And all the way down.
Since noble Britons rolled in to what was then a tiny fishing village in the 1830's, the place has been fashioning itself in the image of the fashionable. More recently, Cannes has been further glamorized by the ongoing success of its annual film festival, as famous as, (and, in the trade, more respected than) Hollywood's Academy Awards.
When Coco Chanel got a suntan here, she startled the milk-white ladies of Parisian society. Today, there's hardly an inch of sand along La Croisette's beaches that isn't covered with bronzing bodies in the summer.

Antibes

In a beautiful location on the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels), the Old Town of Antibes is an inviting place to wander at a leisurely pace. The narrow, winding cobblestone streets of Antibes are filled with little boutiques, gourmet food shops, cafes, and restaurants. With its seaside views, stone buildings, elegant fountains, and bougainvillea-draped alleyways, Vieil Antibes has the typical character of an old Mediterranean city. The old town is enclosed by 16th-century ramparts with the star-shaped Fort Carre. This medieval quarter is especially bustling on market days when vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers as well as other artisinal Provencal products.
The forested Cap d'Antibes peninsula separates Antibes from Juan-les-Pins, a chic resort with bustling nightlife and the Jazz a Juan music festival. This area boasts the best natural-sand beaches on the French Riviera.

Villafranche-Sur-Mer

Nestled discreetly along the deep scoop of harbor between Nice and Cap Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer is in the heart of the Cote d'Azur. Heaped above an idyllic harbour, this picturesque village with imposing citadel overlooks the Cap Ferrat peninsula. The 14th-century old town, with its tiny, evocatively named streets broken by twisting staircases and glimpses of the sea, is a delight to amble. One interesting feature that reminds you that you are in an ancient town - the streets that run along the hill (rather than up and down) pass through arches under the houses, creating a great atmosphere.
The waterfront is lined with cheerful Italianate buildings, and the dock is filled with neat rows of little sailboats. Rolling hills planted with olive groves surround the village, and the microclimate is so mild here that tropical fruits such as bananas grow abundantly.
Whether it's summer or winter, Villefranche is a stunning place. It's superb harbor is known to be one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.

Nice

Nice, the capital of the Cote d'Azur, is beautifully curved round the Bay of Angels The largest city on this fabled stretch of coast, Nice is known as the "Queen of the Riviera." It's also one of the most ancient, founded by the Greeks, who called it Nike (Victory). Nice is the most down-to-earth of the French resorts, with an emphasis on fine dining and high culture and combines an authentic charm with the conviviality of the Mediterranean. By offering a host of activities and sites to visit.
Until 1860, Nice was not part of France, but part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which covered an area that is now mostly in Italy. When the Treaty of Turin was signed, the Duchy of Savoy and the County of Nice were ceded to France. Consequently, Nice and its area have a culture and traditions that have much in common with those of Italy. The picturesque Old Town of Nice, with its maze of narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets, has a lively ambience reminiscent of Italy.

Renting a vacation Home on Cote d'Azur

Vacation homes range from prestigious villas to luxury apartments and gites.
At the top of the range, there are glamorous villas offering the most exceptional locations, sumptuous interiors, beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces and with all those added touches that the most discerning of travelers will appreciate. Some come with fabulous ocean views and even their own staff to pamper you. Of course, these properties come with a hefty price tag. But, if your budget doesn't quite stretch that far, then don't worry, there are bound to be vacation rentals homes on the Cote d'Azur which will be sure to fit the bill.

Whilst our travel editors make every effort to ensure that the information contained in our Destination Guide is accurate and reliable, we take no responsibility for the validity or accuracy of the information displayed. We strongly recommend that any information shown on Tripelli.com is independently verified.